Comparison of United States, Colombian and Peruvian Domestic Law on Terrorism. Are We Becoming More Like Our Neighbors to the South

摘要

To most citizens of the United States, the major difference between the terrorism in Peru and Colombia is that Colombian terrorism is really a large cocaine operation that uses terrorism as one of its methods of survival. Though that may be true to an extent, the terrorism in Colombia may not be so starkly different from that in Peru. The leftist Colombian organizations are formally based on political ideals and use drug trafficking as a means of economic viability so they can follow their political agendas. Thus, at least to a degree, both the Peruvian and Colombian terrorist groups are related in their political motivations and means of operation. They are not true 'criminal organizations,' but rather political organizations that use crime to further their purposes. Their aim is the influence of government and political gain. Likewise, the terrorist organizations bent on influencing the U.S. Government's policies also are politically motivated, al Qaida currently being the chief among them. That thread of political motivation is important in the way it affects the legislation passed and presidential decrees ordered in the United States, Peru, and Colombia in opposition to terrorism. Hence, this paper will show that there is a subtle similarity amongst the legal responses to terrorism in the United States and in Peru and Colombia. The United States has long had a feeling of legal and legislative superiority to its neighbors to the south that may now be partially unfounded. One would hope that even in the face of rising terrorist attacks on the United States, it would lead the world in a logical, tempered legislative and executive attack on terrorism rather than resort to the lowest common denominator. Such hope may be somewhat misplaced and a new balance between adherence to law and protection of the citizens of the United States must be sought.